Posted on 09/05/2013 9:11:08 AM PDT by PrayAndVoteConservesInLibsOut
Alfredo Moser's invention is lighting up the world. In 2002, the Brazilian mechanic had a light-bulb moment and came up with a way of illuminating his house during the day without electricity - using nothing more than plastic bottles filled with water and a tiny bit of bleach.
In the last two years his innovation has spread throughout the world. It is expected to be in one million homes by early next year.
So how does it work? Simple refraction of sunlight, explains Moser, as he fills an empty two-litre plastic bottle.
"Add two capfuls of bleach to protect the water so it doesn't turn green [with algae]. The cleaner the bottle, the better," he adds.
Wrapping his face in a cloth he makes a hole in a roof tile with a drill. Then, from the bottom upwards, he pushes the bottle into the newly-made hole.
"You fix the bottle in with polyester resin. Even when it rains, the roof never leaks - not one drop."
The lamps work best with a black cap - a film case can also be used "An engineer came and measured the light," he says. "It depends on how strong the sun is but it's more or less 40 to 60 watts," he says.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Diaz says you can find Moser lamps in some remote island communities. "They say, 'Well, we just saw it from our neighbour and it looked like a good idea.'" People in poor areas are also able to grow food on small hydroponic farms, using the light provided by the bottle lamps, he says.
Overall, Diaz estimates, one million people will have benefited from the lamps by the start of next year.
"Alfredo Moser has changed the lives of a tremendous number of people, I think forever," he says.
"Whether or not he gets the Nobel Prize, we want him to know that there are a great number of people who admire what he is doing."
Did Moser himself imagine that his invention would have such an impact?
"I'd have never imagined it, No," says Moser, shaking with emotion.
"It gives you goose-bumps to think about it."
Light to work in Bangladesh
Most homes and businesses in the slums of Dhaka have no power and no windows, so 80-90% of them hook up to electricity lines illegally - and fall back on candles or kerosene lamps during regular blackouts.
A voluntary organisation called Change began distributing the bottle light, or botul bati, earlier this year. It's helped hundreds of people - including sari makers and rickshaw repairers - whose livelihoods depend on having sufficient light.
There were teething problems. "Some people said they felt poorer after installing a bottle light," says Change founder Sajid Iqbal. The group counters this by stressing that each one helps tackle climate change.
Unlike some other charities, Change charges a small amount for the lights - roughly the price of 2-3kg of rice. "If you give the light for nothing, people don't maintain them," Iqbal says. "They don't understand their value."
Great story, but these envirof***ers ruin everything.
Skylights BFD
Can you turn them off when you want to go to sleep???
True to my nature, I got totally wrong visual reading this.
More than a sky light, more like a deck prism. Much better illumination than a mere hole in the roof.
It’s not a BFD to the likes of you and me who have ready access to cheap and reliable electricity, but for most of the world it really is a BFD.
you nailed it !!! hahhh!!! there’s the rub..
Wait, where’s the government in this? Mr. Moser needs their help.
What an awesome idea. And the part about a small charge is also critical. Teaching a man to fish does not mean giving him an unlimited supply of line and hooks.
Eventually they will leak. Guaranteed
That was my question too. Also, how well does this work in the winter when they freeze? How well does it insulate? And I doubt they last very long before leaking starts considering the degradation of plastic from UV and the constant expansion and contraction associated with the warming and cooling.
Also, what if you don't have cathedral ceilings for the "water filled skylight"? Who thought this was a good idea again?
Or turn them on when you need to go get up to take leak in the middle of the night.
They probably have to wear an eye mask!
And if it bursts, there is the boiling water rain to experience.
Sailing ships had glass prisms in the deck to distribute light to lower decks.
That this is made out of what is essentially garbage is new, but it replaced ‘going outside’ for most users.
Expect more insanity as less sociable poor people stay in their homes rather than being in a social situation getting feedback.
You’re right. There are just too many problems. Better to sit in the dark.
Manila is famous for its cold winters!
Thanks OP for posting this. This invention is amazing!
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